Growth is fuelled by large operators such as JBS, AA Co and Stanbroke becoming more involved in Wagyu production, said the AWA.

Speaking at the World Wagyu conference in May, AA Co board chairman, Donald McGauchie, said: “Wagyu is our signature product. It is responsible for not only being a good revenue source, but a great deal more importantly, for influencing one of the most significant changes in direction the company has taken in almost 200 years of history.”

Wagyu is involved in 44 per cent of company revenue in the company’s half yearly results, he added.

He added: “There is going to be increasing demand for Wagyu in years to come so much so that I think we will really struggle to supply that potential demand.”